Media execs – What I wish I knew when I was 20

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Michael Ebeid, CEO and managing director, SBS

Don’t worry about what others think, have more confidence in yourself, dream big, think big.

Ebeid: Have more confidence in yourself

Franck Appleby, people and performance director, Adshel

Don’t be concerned about deviating from the safe path. Growth comes from facing new challenges, overcoming set-backs and navigating the unknown.

Caleb Bush, managing director and vice-president, George P. Johnson Australia

I am 33, so this advice is for anyone who I will talk to in the future…

See the world. You have such an amazing opportunity at 20 to work out who you are. A lot of people at 20 have followed a really straight path. They studied really hard in the HSC to get a good mark into Uni. Now they are 20 studying really hard to get a good job. Yes they are making friends and learning how to be a good academic. I think it’s all bullshit and certainly doesn’t sit in my Bubtcha’s view of the world. Go explore, make mistakes, meet people and find your own path. When you find something you truly enjoy, then study it and refine it. The day you can learn no more, move on and find something else that excites you.

Bush: See the world

Andrea Walsh, CIO, Isentia

Take each opportunity as just that, an opportunity to learn and grow more.

David Roddick, sales and marketing director, Adshel

You’re neither as cool or as stupid as you think you are.

Andrea Ingham, director of sales, ANZ, Spotify

You really aren’t fat and trust your instinct, it was correct more than not.

Ingham: Trust your instinct

Sean Seamer, CEO Mediacom

Slow down, enjoy the moment.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

Michael Ebeid, CEO and managing director, SBS

Always take your time in hiring the right people and invest time in building a great team.

Franck Appleby, people and performance director, Adshel

“Esse quam videri”. It is Latin and means: “It is better to be, than to seem to be”. Life and work are about finding the courage to be yourself and act with authenticity.

Caleb Bush, managing director and vice-president, George P. Johnson Australia

I have been given a lot of advice. My wife says to me most weeks… just be the best version of yourself you can be. I really like that. I also say to myself a lot…have a plan. Otherwise it’s just a dream. And in the film – The Big Lebowski – they quote Theodore Hertzl… If you will it, dude, it is no dream. This pretty much sums up my outlook.

Sean Seamer, CEO Mediacom

Hire people smarter than you are and then get out of their way.

Seamer: Hire people smarter than you

Andrea Walsh, CIO, Isentia

To travel into unchartered territory and pursue a career in STEM. If there is a single piece of career advice I would give to any young girl it would be, unequivocally, to learn how to code.

David Roddick, sales and marketing director, Adshel

“Vulnerability is the last thing we want to give of ourselves and the first thing we look for in others”.

Andrea Ingham, director of sales, ANZ, Spotify

Manage and plan your own learning. Sure, the business you work for will hopefully provide some, but what are you doing for yourself?Guide/manage/control your own destiny.

Josie Tutty

Josie Tutty was Mumbrella's deputy editor. She worked on the publication between 2017 and 2019. She's previously written and edited in the UK for Jungle Creations and Trinity Mirror.

topics Andrea Ingham Andrea Walsh Caleb Bush CEO Magazine Executive of the Year Awards David Roddick Franck Appleby Michael Ebeid Sean Seamer

Share Tweet Share

Comments: 1

Amba Brown 16 Oct 17

What a great piece! And speaks to the message I am spreading!
Summarised in my recent TEDx Talk :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stKAA-ecimk
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Amba

User ID not verified.

---